Life — August 29, 1930 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Imaginary Interviews: George Jean Nathan This page features a satirical interview with **George Jean Nathan**, a prominent theater critic of the early 20th century. The text humorously depicts Nathan as an arrogant, dismissive critic who considers Harry Wagstaff himself "Tripe!" and believes talkies (early talking films) will never replace legitimate theater. The accompanying comic strip illustrations (numbered 1-8) show Nathan in various scenarios—shopping, dining, and socializing—where he maintains his supercilious attitude. The final panel, titled "Brush?", appears to joke about his pretentious demeanor. The satire targets Nathan's notorious snobbery about entertainment media and his refusal to acknowledge changing cultural tastes. It's a period piece mocking a real critic's dismissiveness toward emerging technologies like sound film.